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Lauren Mitc
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The blues is a way to say, ‘I have overcome.’
2016 was a year of large-scale and unexpected change for Tampa Bay-area blues and soul vocalist Lauren Mitchell. During a tumultuous time in both her personal and professional life, she was given the opportunity to rise from the challenges she was facing and make the album of her career with producer Tony Braunagel. Mitchell took the leap of faith because she is a true student of the blues, a music that’s all about finding a way to transform difficult experiences into something cathartic. The timing was perfect. She had an album to record. That album, Desire, is her most fully realized musical statement to date, and was already on the charts at the time of its street release. Through a bold mix of her own original material, favorites from the repertoires of friends, and select covers of tunes first performed by Etta James, Bettye Lavette, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and Betty Davis, Mitchell tells a blues story that’s been a lifetime in the making. It’s a stylistically varied set of 13 songs expertly recorded by drummer and Grammy-winning 4
producer Tony Braunagel, whose work with Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and Robert Cray have made him one of today’s most in-demand blues industry professionals. Recorded during a ten-day trip to Los Angeles, Braunagel brought out the best in Mitchell, highlighting every nuance in her powerful vocals and helping her craft an emotionally resonant album that’s destined to be one of the year’s highlights. Besides Braunagel, the band features guitarists Johnny Lee Schell and Josh Sklair, keyboardist Jim Pugh, bassist Reggie McBride, sax player Joe Sublett, trumpet player Darrell Leonard, and percussionist Lenny Castro. Mitchell and her writing partner, fellow Tampa Bay area musician Sheri Nadelman, composed four of the songs on Desire, including the title track, a swampy, bluesy, Delta-drenched number that summarizes the album’s themes of resilience in the face of change and of keeping faith alive in difficult circumstances. Desire kicks off with a fiery reading of “I Don’t Need Nobody (To Tell Me How To Treat My Man),” an uptempo Etta James rarity. James was Mitchell’s musical idol, and she tackles another James recording with the swaggering “Jump Into My Fire.” Other passionate covers include Bettye Lavette’s soulful “Stand Up Like a Man,” “I Ain’t Been (Licked Yet),” a feisty Ashford & Simpson tune first recorded by Diana Ross, and Aretha Franklin’s “Good to Me as I Am to You.” Betty Davis’ 1973 funk masterpiece, “Anti-Love Song,” is a tune Mitchell says she selected for the forthright way it deals with physical desire: “I’m almost six feet tall, and I’m sexy, and I’m not afraid to talk about it.”
chell ~ Desire Born and raised in Ohio, Mitchell grew up singing in church and taking voice lessons by age nine. Despite her father’s interest in 1960s soul music, Mitchell gravitated toward musical theatre and opera in her studies. Moving to Florida after college graduation, she played gigs singing Top 40 music while working in the restaurant industry to support herself. Even then, audience members would ask why music wasn’t her full-time career. Meanwhile, she discovered blues musicians like Leadbelly, Muddy Waters and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. After a few years of soul searching, Mitchell committed to creating her own music. In 2013, Mitchell and her band released their first album, the genre-spanning Please Come Home, followed by 2014’s Live From the Bradfordville Blues Club, recorded in concert at the legendary Tallahassee juke joint. Desire marks the beginning of a new page in Mitchell’s life. With an all-new band and a
renewed musical focus, Mitchell has managed to do exactly what she sings about on the album’s title track, whose words implore listeners to “just keep walking through the fire/rise up from those ashes and believe in your desire.” “Sometimes people don’t understand that the blues is a song of victory,” she says. “The blues is a way to say, ‘I’m over it, and now I’m turning it into this beautiful thing that I can give to the world that can help someone else heal, or feel better, or just open up a conversation. That’s what this record is for me.” More at laurenmitchellmusic.com.
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Ken Peplowski & Diego Figueiredo
APRIL 12 GOLD COAST JAZZ SOCIETY BROWARD CENTER FT. LAUDERDALE
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PHOTO BY CAROL LORICCO
Gold Coast Jazz presents Ken Peplowski & Diego Figueiredo in a jazz concert titled The Bossa Nova Wave. This performance is richly recreated and reminiscent of the performances of the iconic duo, Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd and features the legendary jazz clarinetist, Ken Peplowski with Diego Figueiredo. One of the leading clarinetist and saxophonist in jazz Peplowski has performed with the who’s who of the jazz world. A past member of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Ken joined the group under the direction of Buddy Morrow. When the legendary Benny Goodman came out of retirement and put together a new band, he hired Peplowski on tenor saxophone. He recorded close to 20 albums on Concord Records, including The Natural Touch and The Other Portrait. Other recordings include Lost In The Stars and Easy To Remember, on Nagel Heyer Records label and Noir Blue on the Capri Record label. Diego Figueiredo hails from Brazil and is considered one of the most talented guitarists in the world today, having won numerous competitions including the Montreux Jazz Competition and the VISA Prize. Diego’s music is a fusion between jazz, bossa nova and classical. His unique interpretations, along with his phenomenal technique and emotion, has created an explosion of adoring fans and concert goers. Both Peplowski and Figueiredo have performed world-wide and in numerous jazz festivals, jazz cruises and more. Jamie Ousley on bass and Carlomagno Arrays on drums round out the quartet. Learn more at goldcoastjazz.org.
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James Blood Ulmer Jazz and guitar legend James Blood Ulmer is among the most distinctive and influential free jazz electric and acoustic guitarists to emerge in the past four decades. He has worked and recorded with Ornette Coleman, Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Arthur Blythe, David Murray, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Vernon Reid and George Adams as bandleader and sideman. Ulmer is recognized as a central figure in the post-fusion movements of 1970s and 1980s jazz. Yet within this experimental framework, his guitar playing and songwriting incorporate blues, funk, and rock idioms, making it difficult to categorize his innovative musical forms. At the age of 77, he continues to tour throughout the U.S. and Europe, performing with his trio and other bands as well as solo gigs. Tigertail has brought him to Miami several times over the years, with trio configurations as well as with Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time band. Ulmer will appear in his first Miami solo performance on Saturday, April 29, 8:30pm, at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium’s intimate On.Stage Black Box Theater, 2901 West Flagler Street in Miami. He will likely draw from his stunning 2005 solo album, Birthright, with songs like “Geechee Joe,” “Take My Music Back To The Church” and “White Man’s Jail.” In these songs, Ulmer deals directly with the proverbial hellhounds on his trail, including religion, racism and failed relationships. Tigertail appropriately selected this fiery guitarist to close its Aprillong FIRE festival. For tickets and directions, call 305 324 4337 or visit tigertail.org.
APRIL 29 ON.STAGE THEATER MIAMI
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PHOTO BY DORSAY ALAVI
APRIL 13 FSU RUBY DIAMOND HALL TALLAHASSEE
Wayne Shorter Quartet
The Wayne Shorter Quartet will be performing on April 13 as part of the Opening Nights Performing Arts Series at Florida State University’s (FSU) Ruby Diamond Concert Hall at 7:30pm. During the past 15 years, the Wayne Shorter Quartet – featuring Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, and Brian Blade – has forever changed the landscape of modern jazz. The ensemble has developed an uncanny chemistry and almost telepathic ability to communicate–they do not simply improvise on a form, but spontaneously create new compositions. They have come to describe this deeply emotional interaction as “zero gravity.” Shorter, revered as the most important composer in jazz today, has developed an important body of work as a contemporary music composer. NPR calls Shorter “one of the greatest living jazz musicians.” His compositions are always visual, relying on the vibrant adventures of one of contemporary music’s greatest minds. Shorter’s latest opus is the featured work for the program, entitled The Unfolding. A group of physicists believe that the universe came about through a series of waves, like an unfolding, rather than the big bang theory. With the universe as his inspiration, this piece highlights Shorter’s signature textural complexity through the voices of wind instruments. The FSU Chamber Winds, conducted by Richard Clary, will be performing The Unfolding with the quartet. This work was co-commissioned by Monterey Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center, Jazztopad Festival/National Forum of Music, Wroclaw, Poland, and Opening Nights Performing Arts at Florida State University. For more information or to purchase tickets visit OpeningNights.edu.fsu.
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Toronzo Cannon The Chicago Way is the latest release from electrifying Windy City bluesman Toronzo Cannon. The album, featuring nothing but Cannon originals, is powered by his blistering guitar and soulbaring vocals. His songwriting is inspired by his deep Chicago roots, his years observing the public while working as a city bus driver on the West Side, and his own battles and triumphs. The resulting songs tell timeless stories of common experiences in uncommon ways. And as a singer, his impassioned vocals add muscle and personality to his already potent songs. As a child in late ’60searly ’70s Chicago, Cannon soaked up the live blues pouring out of the bars. He finally bought his first guitar at age 22, and while his initial focus was reggae, he was increasingly drawn to the blues. Influenced by many, Cannon’s biting, singing guitar sound is all his own. Though he worked steadily as a sideman from 1996 through 2002, Cannon was determined to prove himself. He formed his own band, The Cannonball Express, and the group’s first three albums document his rise. Recognized now as one of Chicago’s most popular bluesmen, Cannon has played the Chicago Blues Festival nine times. With The Chicago Way and a tour that’s taking him around the globe, it’s only a matter of time until the rest of the world figures out what his hometown already knows: Toronzo Cannon is the real deal. Toronzo is currently nominated for four Blues Music Awards by the Blues Foundation. He and multi-nominated Sunrise show opener Albert Castiglia are both nominated in the Contemporary Blues Male Artist category. Expect 12-string fireworks! More at toronzocannon. com.
PHOTO BY CHRIS MONAGHAN
APRIL 07 SUNRISE THEATRE FORT PIERCE w/ALBERT CASTIGLIA
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Josefiina Vannesluoma Vocalist, flutist and composer Josefiina Vannesluoma hails from Finland, and her vast musical background extends from classical to Finnish vocal folk music to traditional American jazz. Born in 1990 in Turku, she began her musical studies with classical flute repertoire and sang in school choirs. At age 14, while singing in an aspiring vocal group with her best friends, she found a Brazilian compilation album that introduced her to the bossa nova sound and its tropical rhythms. It didn’t take long for her to broaden her horizons from bossa nova recordings with guest jazz artists all the way through to American bebop and standard repertoires. After attending a music-oriented high school, she pursued two Bachelor’s degrees both in Jazz Performance as well as in Music Education at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Vannesluoma also performs as part of the Alternative Vocal Ensemble Signe, taking traditional jazz expression in new directions through the unusual lineup of three female vocalists and double bass. The Nossa Bossa quartet was formed in 2014. Their repertoire consists of lesser-known musical gems from the ’60s Brazil as well as Josefiina’s own compositions. And Kajo is her acoustic jazz duo with Kaisa Mäensivu. Late last summer she was offered the opportunity to come to Miami and study jazz vocals and composition at the Frost School of Music. Currently excelling in her studies, Vannesluoma is currently part of The Miami Project, described as “Lyrical Originals with American Guys.” More at josefiinavannesluoma.com.
APRIL 12 THE FISH HOUSE MIAMI
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PHOTO BY MIKE GENDIMENICO
APRIL 15 BRADFORDVILLE BLUES CLUB TALLAHASSEE
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John Primer
John Primer has undisputedly helped build the sound and style of Chicago blues as we know it today. Bringing the sounds and spirit of Mississippi with him to Chicago in 1963, Primer fell for the music of both the city’s west and south sides. Fronting his first band, The Maintainers, he was asked to join and eventually lead the house band at the world-famous Theresa’s Lounge in 1974. Over the next seven years, John would play with such blues originators as Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks and others. In 1979, the great songwriter Willie Dixon persuaded him to join his band the Chicago Blues All Stars. John played rhythm guitar, slide guitar and sang. Muddy Waters heard John play and six months later Muddy recruited him not only as his guitar player and bandleader, but also as an opening act. Primer stayed loyal to Muddy until his death in 1983. For the next 14 years, Primer toured with Magic Slim & the Teardrops as bandleader and guitarist, helping to invent the “Chicago lump” blues sound. Primer released his solo major label debut, The Real Deal, in 1995. Since then he’s released or been recorded on over a dozen albums and toured extensively. He has two Grammy nominations and two Living Legend honors, as well as a Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Blues Artist and many more. With his strong traditionalist blues phrasing, seasoned R&B vocals and lightning-fast slide guitar techniques, John Primer is still at the top of his game, and Bradfordville is the perfect stage to see him prove it. More at johnprimerblues.com.
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Ernie Calhoun
j a z z APRIL 2 MAINSTAGE/HCC/YBOR TAMPA
Legendary Tampa-area saxophonist Ernie Calhoun will be celebrated at a tribute concert and film premiere, Soulful Tenor: Celebrating Ernie Calhoun at 90, in the Mainstage Theatre at HCC/Ybor City, on April 2. Just weeks before Calhoun’s 90th birthday, the event is presented by the Tampa Jazz Club and the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, as part of HCC’s Visual & Performing Arts Series. A portion of the proceeds will benefit each organization’s annual Jazz Scholarship. The new documentary film, from Bay Area journalist Arielle Stevenson, features Calhoun telling his own story. After seeing front-line action in Korea, Calhoun returned home, attended college, and became active in Tampa’s civil rights movement. For decades he led outreach efforts to help minority youth and senior citizens… all while making great music until his retirement from playing just a few years ago. The concert that follows puts the emphasis on the saxophone (Jeremy Carter, Valerie Gillespie, Henry Ashwood, Rodney Rojas, and Kendric McCallister) along with veteran players pianist Kevin Wilder, guitarist Vincent Sims, bassist Kenny Walker, and drummer Ron Gregg. Also appearing will be Tampa legends Kitty Daniels and Majid Shabazz who, with Calhoun, helped shape the Tampa music scene. Central Avenue, the heart of Tampa’s African-American community, was home to Calhoun from age 13. After a stint on the road with singer Percy Mayfield, Calhoun worked closely with the young Ray Charles, then living in Tampa. Years on the road led to the formation of Ernie Cal & The Soul Brothers, the group that performed with the jazz greats as they came through town. That band eventually became Al Downing & the All-Stars, featuring Ernie on tenor sax. More at tampajazzclub.com.
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S P O T L I G H T APRIL 2 PARADISE BAR & GRILL GULF BREEZE APRIL 5 ENGLEWOODS ON DEARBORN ENGLEWOOD
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The Lucky Losers
This month, San Francisco’s finest male/female duet-fronted band, The Lucky Losers, bring their high-energy blues and roots music magic to Florida. Accompanied by a dynamic six piece ensemble, veteran Bay Area artists, APRIL 11 Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz deliver a truly signature sound, layering LITTLE BAR elements of Stax/Volt styled R&B, electric Americana, and psychedelic rock WINTER GARDEN atop a Chicago and Texas blues foundation. Produced and engineered by Kid Andersen at his famed Greaseland Studios, the group’s critically acclaimed APRIL 13 second album, In Any Town, features spellbinding performances, expert musiMICKEY’S TIKI BAR POMPANO BEACH cianship, and dramatic storytelling. Living Blues Magazine calls it “a throwback to the hybrid of soul, blues, rock, gospel, and country that emerged in the late APRIL 14 1960s.” The album peaked at No. 6 on the Living Blues chart and No. 3 on BLUE JEAN BLUES the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Blues Rock Albums, garnering rave reviews. FORT LAUDERDALE Accompanied by their skilled backing band, The Lucky Losers breathe new APRIL 15 life into American songwriting tradition and the vanishing art of duet SUNSET SATURDAYS singing. Described as “the finest light skinned blues singer in the VERO BEACH U.S.!” (Real Blues), Lemons has a velvet voice with a gritty edge and the rebel conviction of a woman risen from the ashes. “Top-flight blues singer/harmonica player” (San Jose Mercury News) Berkowitz is the Losers’ mysterious leading man, with a polished tenor reminiscent of legends past. His expert musicianship fuels the passionate dialogue with Lemons, and that dynamic makes for a captivating musical union night after night. For more visit TheLuckyLosers.com.
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Sebastian Noelle
APRIL 14 WDNA JAZZ ENCOUNTERS MIAMI
Guitarist and composer Sebastian Noelle has been APRIL 19 an active member of New THE FISH HOUSE York City’s multi-faceted MIAMI creative music scene since 2002. He has released three CDs on the European FreshSound-NewTalent label: Across The River (2006) featuring Donny McCaslin, Ben Street and Ari Hoenig; Koan (2011) with Loren Stillman, George Colligan, Thomson Kneeland and Tony Moreno; and Shelter (2016) with Marc Mommaas, Matt Mitchell, Matt Clohesy and Dan Weiss. Noelle is always exploring new techniques in improvisation using microtones, ragas and rhythms from the Balkans and the Middle East. Having played at numerous prestigious jazz festivals such as Newport, North Sea, Montreux and Moers, Noelle has also toured extensively in the US, Europe, Canada, Brazil and Japan. He is a member of Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society (2010 and 2014 Grammy nominations, 2013 Downbeat winner in the big band category), the Aaron Irwin Quintet (featuring Rich Perry), The Chris Potter Big Band, Ben Stapp’s Zosimos, Jeff Fairbanks’ Project Hansori, the world music/minimalism ensemble Anicha, Joe Phillip’s Numinous, the New York Soundpainting Orchestra, ZAHA, the BMI Composer’s Workshop Orchestra, conducted by Jim McNeely, Hindustani clarinetist Shankar Tucker and various other NY based groups. Of his balance between technical and artistic aspects, Noelle explains, “…guitarists sometimes tend to focus on the technical aspect of their instruments to an extent that makes them forget that jazz is primarily a language, a means of communicating ideas, in the moment. Noelle’s explanations are as intriguing as his music. More at sebastiannoelle.com.
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Coco Montoya Taught by the “Master of the Telecaster,” Albert Collins, but with a hard-edged APRIL 6 sound and style all his own, Coco Montoya mixes his forceful, melodic guitar PORKY’S ROADHOUSE playing and passionate vocals with memorable songs, delivering the blues’ PORT CHARLOTTE hardest truths. He earned his status through years of paying his dues as a APRIL 7 sideman with Collins (first as a drummer) and then for a decade with John FUNKY BISCUIT Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (along with Walter Trout), before launching his solo BOCA RATON career in 1993. His debut as a leader, 1995’s Gotta Mind To Travel, became an instant fan favorite. In 1996, he was nominated for four Blues Music Awards and walked away with the award for Best New Blues Artist. With eight solo albums to his credit, Montoya has played at clubs, concert halls and major festivals all over the world. Guitar Player says Montoya plays “stunning, powerhouse blues with a searing tone, emotional soloing, and energetic, unforced vocals.”His latest release, Hard Truth, features 11 songs, each delivering a hard truth of its own. The album covers a lot of emotional ground. Montoya’s unpredictable guitar playing and smoking soul vocals blend effortlessly with a backing band featuring renowned musicians including bassist Bob Glaub, keyboardist Mike Finnigan, guitarists Billy Watts and Johnny Lee Schell, and Tony Braunagel (who also produced the album) on drums. Still an indefatigable road warrior, Montoya continues to pack clubs and theaters around – and bring festival audiences to their feet – across the globe. More at cocomontoya.com.
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S P O T L I G H T APRIL 8 BAMBOO ARTS CENTER WINTER PARK w/GINGER BERGLUND
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Scott Whitfield
Trombonist, composer, arranger, and vocalist Scott Whitfield is internationally recognized for his work with contemporary big bands, as well as his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestras. In addition to his own recordings, Whitfield’s compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by such artists as Maurice Hines, Bill Allred’s Classic Jazz Band, and Pete Petersen’s Collection Jazz Orchestra. Upon settling in New York in 1993, Whitfield became a member of the Nat Adderley Sextet, an association that led to projects with Nnenna Freelon, Frank Wess, Lionel Hampton and many others. He has performed in Broadway show orchestras, and backed the likes of Robert Goulet, Rita Moreno, Vic Damone and Nancy Wilson, among others. The Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra (founded in 1986) has two incarnations: the SWJO East, based in New York; and the SWJO West, based in Los Angeles. Both feature the top players in the business. Jazz gem Ginger Berglund boasts a multi-faceted career: she has sung, performed and recorded with one jazz great after another, and is a featured singer with swing and big bands. Berglund is the latest addition to the Modernaires (who also added Whitfield as their new musical director). As a team, Berglund and Whitfield are fixtured with the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra, on tour in Florida through April 6. Together, Berglund and Whitfield bring to the stage their silky vocal blend, innate sense of swing, and reverence for the jazz tradition. More at OfficialGingerAndScott.com.
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S P O T L I G H T APRIL 1 RITZ THEATRE JACKSONVILLE
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Jack Broadbent
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PHOTO BY LEE GRUBB
Hailed as “The new master of the slide guitar” by the Montreux Jazz Festival and “The real thang” by the legendary Bootsy Collins, Jack Broadbent has spent APRIL 21 the past year wowing international audiences with his unique blend of virtuosic FUNKY BISCUIT acoustic and slide guitar, and poignant folk and blues inspired vocals. Born BOCA RATON and raised in rural England, Broadbent grew up listening to artists such as John Lee Hooker, Peter Green, Robert Johnson, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. These legends of rock, blues, roots and folk influenced Jack’s distinctive song writing, singing and performance style, which have a depth and heart that defies strict musical genres. Jack‘s performances exude a warmth, humor and energy that has electrified audiences worldwide. Following a string of successful shows opening for legendary artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Hallyday, Robben Ford, and Tony Joe White, Broadbent headlined his own whirlwind international tour, playing sold-out shows for music lovers in Europe, New Zealand, Japan, the US and Canada. With three full-length albums under his belt, tens of millions of YouTube views and a devoted army of fans, Broadbent’s career is going full throttle. 2017 is a big year for Jack as he works on a new album and continues touring internationally. Don’t miss the unforgettable musical experience that is Jack Broadbent live. More at jackbroadbent.co.uk.
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Daniel Giron Originally from Bogotá, APRIL 28 Colombia, and with PALLADIUM THEATER a solid foundation as ST PETERSBURG a classical guitarist, Daniel Girón’s music has evolved to become a confluence of Spanish flamenco guitar with jazz and Latin rhythms. His third and newest release, PRISMA, arranged and produced by Daniel, highlights that evolution. The album features nine pieces composed by the guitarist, except for the tune “My Rumba,” composed by Colombian musician Juan Alzate, and an arrangement by Daniel of Michael Jackson’s composition, “Another Part of Me.” Musicians on the album include trumpet player Jackson Harp, percussionist Jose Lao, cellist Eduard Teregulov, bass player Juan Santana, and pianist Yassel Pupo. Also featured is renowned Latin jazz pianist Chuchito Valdés, who performs on “My Rumba” and “Shadows of Blue.” Following 2008’s Classical Guitar and 2008’s all-original Hoja De Nogal, PRISMA will be released in mid-April. The release concert is scheduled for Friday, April 28 at 8:00pm, at The Palladium Theater in St Petersburg. Daniel will be joined by the musicians featured in the album, as well as by other guest artists. The diverse ensemble will present Daniel Giron’s newest album, PRISMA, as well as versions of songs by famous artists, including Ennio Morricone, Sting and Michael Jackson. For tickets or to listen to audio clips of his new album, visit mypalladium.org.
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Mike Flanigin After decades just out of the spotlight, Mike Flanigin released his first solo album, The Drifter, in 2015. Collaborators included Gary Clark Jr., Gibbons, Alejandro Escovedo, Jimmie Vaughan, the late Reverend Gean West, Kat Edmonson, and special guests. The album was created in six different studios, and Grammy-Award winner Garvin Lurssen (T-Bone Burnett, Eric Clapton) mastered the album. Though he picked up the guitar at age 13, Flanigin didn’t step on a stage until he was 25. He followed his first gig, at a Dallas Holiday Inn, with years of touring with The Red Devils. He also played in the famous Antone’s house band in Austin, and did an eight-year residency at The Continental Club Gallery playing organ. Besides guesting Antone’s house band leader Derek O’Brien, onetime Bob Dylan sideman Denny Freeman, and Barry “Frosty” Smith, among the greatest drummers of his or any generation, lately he performs with no less a guitar great than Jimmie Vaughan as an organ trio. During this residency, Flanigin met and began to play with Billy Gibbons and Vaughan, and later went on to play as a featured guest with ZZ Top on their Live At Montreux 2013 DVD. Flanigin later played with Vaughan at The Eric Clapton Crossroads Festival in 2013, which was recorded and released on DVD. He’ll appear with Vaughan and Steve Miller on April 7 as part of ‘From Ma Rainey to Miles Davis: A Blues Journey,’ at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. More at mikeflanigin.com.
APRIL 7 ARSHT CENTER MIAMI
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Rich Brown Rich Brown’s music is rooted in the blues. He plays and sings the music he loves. Every gig, folks stop to listen because this music is a little different and grabs their attention. At some point he is asked “what is that stuff?” “I play blues rooted in the Delta and Piedmont and Chicago styles by way of Robert Johnson, Son House, Muddy Waters, Blind Boy Fuller, Willie McTell, Rev. Gary Davis, Paul Rishell, Guitar Slim, Jimmy Rogers, Hubert Sumlin, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon on and on… smokin’ lineage! These blues comfort pain, warm the cold, give joy! We share with whoever comes to our music table…” This stuff is where much of what we all listen to now sprang from, roots music some call it. This is the music you didn’t know you needed to hear! Good friends and Blues Music Award winners Paul Rishell and Annie Raines introduced him to the music of Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Tommy Johnson, Robert Johnson, Scrapper Blackwell, Barbecue Bob, and so on. When he plays, he tells his stories with these influences present. Some call it folk blues because it’s what the ‘folks’ played. This is the real thing. Rich keeps that vibe rolling. A Mojo Rodeo and BMI Recording Artist, Brown released his latest CD in 2013, Down A Good Road. Look for it at your favorite music source and all Rich’s shows. More at richbrownblues.com.
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